Government Simulations

Hands on civics and government education

Generation Joshua educational simulations are 2-day programs that give students a crash course in different aspects of politics and government. These are typically hosted by a convention, homeschool co-op, local school, or GenJ Club, and presented by the GenJ staff.

The simulations are designed to take government (something that is usually taught through books and lectures) and turn it into a full scale interactive learning process that engages the students on multiple levels. Teens learn best when they can employ all of their senses. Thus, in each of these courses, students get to take on characters and roles and learn by actually doing things.

Each simulation is unique in its content and subject matter. However, all of them are designed to have limited amounts of lecture and large amounts of hands-on practicum. They are each designed to teach young people the basics of government and civic responsibility in an exciting and engaging way that brings it to life before their eyes.

iElect

Presidential Election Simulation

Participants will take part in a mock presidential campaign that includes caucus work, a primary race, voter registration, fundraising, commercials, campaigning, and actual voting. Participants will be assigned to a mock political party, design their own party platform, elect their own candidates from among themselves, and raise GenJ money to buy commercials, campaign materials, advertisements, etc. Parents and other conference attendees are involved by registering to vote, donating play money (parents will be provided with the money), and by voting for their favorite candidate.

Students simulate the rigors of the electoral process by personally campaigning for a candidate of their choice. At each phase of the program, students will learn how a real election works by actually participating in the presidential race and making important decisions that could make or break their campaign.

The program is designed to be interactive, even getting parents and other attendees involved in the process. Teens will enjoy the hands-on nature that the program offers.

iAdvocate

Congressional Simulation

This program features interactive activities that simulate what a legislator encounters when he or she tries to draft and advocate legislation. Participants will have to choose between competing priorities such as personal legislative goals, the goals of his or her party, and the professional agreements he or she has made with other participants. Participants will start with drafting legislation in a small committee, and will progress to an official legislative session where they will have the chance to debate and vote on their legislation.

To round out the program, Generation Joshua staff will provide lectures focusing on Christian worldview and civic involvement and how it relates to law and public policy.

iAdvocate provides a safe atmosphere for students to learn how they respond to political pressures and gain a better understanding of how leaders make tough decisions. Ultimately, the goal of the track is to train students to be an unfailing testimony as an advocate for Christian principles as they serve their country.

iObject

Grand Jury Simulation

It was a case that made the headlines

The mob has murdered the daughter of a US Senator and the local brass has pulled out all the stops to find the guilty party. Accordingly, they have summoned a Federal Grand Jury to investigate the evidence and issue an indictment for murder. The problem is that there are three possible suspects. Each had opportunity, means, and possibly a motive, so who do they take to trial? That is your job. The Generation Joshua iObject teen track places you in the seat of one of the most powerful citizen judicial roles in the country, a federal Grand Jury.

The Generation Joshua iObject program puts participants on the front lines of the judicial system, allowing them to actually see the evidence that is used to bring people to trial, and the difficulties that face a system of justice. We provide a view of the justice system in the United States that is rarely seen by people but is vital to how we serve justice in the America. Students get to question witnesses, examine evidence and learn what is and is not allowed in testimony while working to solve a perplexing murder from the 1930s. We intersperse the hands on learning with discussions of what it means to be an engaged citizen, America’s Judeo-Christian Heritage, and standing up for what is right.

You determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to bring a suspect to trial or if the prosecution seems to be targeting an innocent man. The Grand Jury is a constitutional shield to prevent a prosecutor from charging someone with a crime without sufficient evidence, and also acts to ensure that the guilty are actively prosecuted. You will be given the chance to determine who is innocent and who should be charged. And maybe, just maybe, ensure justice is done. It’s not easy, but it is a crucial part of our system of justice. We invite you to attend and be part of Generation Joshuas newest teen track iObject.

Grand Jury Defined

The grand jury "is a grand inquest, a body with powers of investigation and inquisition, the scope of whose inquiries is not to be limited narrowly by questions of propriety or forecasts of the probable result of the investigation, or by doubts whether any particular individual will be found properly subject to an accusation of crime."

Blair v. United States, 250 U.S. 273 (1919)

iCommand

Presidential Foreign Policy Crisis Simulation

Designed as an intense foreign policy crisis simulation, the students act as members of the executive branch of government. They must respond to a variety of developing foreign crisis. The students take on roles in the State Department, Department of Defense, and national security organizations attempting to discern wise and true courses of action. An intense look at the powers of the presidency in action, and U.S. foreign policy, iCommand provides student with an opportunity to test their own idea of how the U.S. should act on the world stage and see the consequences in real time.

iNegotiate

International Diplomacy and Human Rights

This program presents students with a hands-on opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by diplomats and foreign ambassadors at an international summit. Throughout the program, your student will have to choose between making demands and exercising diplomacy; forming alliances and burning bridges. They will have to know when to speak and when to bide their time. They will be forced to make decisions and accept responsibility for how those decisions impact the nations they represent. In the midst of a fun and engaging environment, they will get a glimpse of the weight and responsibility that comes with great power and influence. Their character will be grown, their minds will be stretched, and to be successful, they will need to act with honor, integrity, and much wisdom. We look forward to seeing how God uses this in the lives of our members, and we would like to invite you to send your student to be an ambassador at Generation Joshua’s iNegotiate.

Speakers

Joel Grewe's Bio

Joel started his life as an advocate when he was in 6th grade and convinced his mother to homeschool him. In 2007, after working on the Hill for J.C. Watts and then delving into the world of demographic research, Joel started training future leaders as Generation Joshua’s National Clubs Coordinator. In 2012, Joel became director of Generation Joshua. A graduate of his hometown college, Eastern Washington University, he travels around the United States training youth to influence the political world for Christ. When Joel speaks, he draws on his fifteen years of ministry experience and ten years of political campaign experience to make the message relevant to a generation that he says, “will change the world.” Living in the DC area, Joel, his wife Christie, and their three sons enjoy life in the fast lane.

Jeremiah Lorrig's Bio

As a Colorado Springs native, Jeremiah Lorrig grew up under the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He is a homeschool graduate with a passion to see young people engage their culture in politics and art. Jeremiah has worked in four different not for profit organizations while pursuing both his Associates of Arts Degree in Colorado and his Bachelor's Degree in Government at Patrick Henry College. As Deputy Director of HSLDA Federal Relations, Jeremiah brings his passions together as a lobbyist and advocate for homeschoolers across the country. He is also the Deputy Director of the HSLDA PAC that actively seeks pro-homeschooling candidates where they can send Generation Joshua volunteers to work on the campaign. These opportunities allow Jeremiah to teach students all across the country about practical politics, grassroots campaigning, leadership under pressure, and good citizenship.